Musicians - Bill Champlin

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	Musicians - Bill Champlin

The popular soulful singer and keyboardist/guitarist Bill Champlin was born on June 21, 1947 in Marin County, California. As a child, he demonstrated a talent for piano, and eventually picked up the guitar after being inspired by Elvis. He studied music in college, but was encouraged by a professor to drop out of school and pursue music professionally with his band, The Opposite Six.

The Six changed their name to the Sons of Champlin, and it wasn't long before they became very popular in the Bay Area. They had recorded a number of well-reviewed, low-selling albums (including Loosen Up Naturally and Circle Filled With Love) by 1977 when the 30-year old Champlin went solo.

Teaming up with the then-unknown producer David Foster, Champlin (and a host of session musicians) put out two killer albums: Single and Runaway. Had the record companies involved really pushed the material, Champlin could have been a monster solo artist in the Michael Bolton mode -- only better. Unfortunately, terrific tunes like "Tonight, Tonight" and "Satisfaction" were released and allowed to disappear.

Still, Champlin prospered. His fantastic, bluesy voice made him an in-demand session singer, and he famously co-wrote the huge hits "After the Love Is Gone" (Earth, Wind & Fire) and "Turn Your Love Around" (George Benson), picking up two Grammy Awards in the process. Among other artists he worked with are Boz Scaggs, The Tubes, and Lee Ritenour.

In 1978, the day after Chicago guitarist Terry Kath died, Champlin received a call from someone connected to the group, suggesting that he audition to take Kath's place. Champlin turned down the offer, saying he couldn't fill those shoes. But a couple of years later, he hooked up with Chicago drummer Danny Seraphine, singing some backgrounds with Peter Cetera on a non-Chicago project. Champlin and Cetera hit it off, finding that their voices sounded great together. Seraphine and Champlin co-wrote a few tunes, and Champlin was invited to sing one song ("Sonny Think Twice") as a guest vocalist on what would eventually become Chicago 16. Champlin suggested to Seraphine that David Foster might be a good bet as a producer for Chicago at that time.

Serpahine began a campaign to get Champlin into the group (Robert Lamm--initially jealous at the prospect of another keyboardist--said, "What the hell do we need him for?" and Kenny Loggins personally called Champlin, saying, "What are you doing? Those guys are over!"). Reluctant at first, especially after hearing that he'd be singing "Colour My World" ("I never really liked that one much"), Champlin finally said, "Why not? I'll give it a year," and joined the band in 1981 (twenty-plus years later, he's still there). He did some guest spots in the meantime (the TV show Fridays, for example), and was featured singing several songs on 16, including "Bad Advice" and "Follow Me."

1984's Chicago 17 cemented Champlin's presence in the group. He wrote several great tunes ("Please Hold On," "Remember the Feeling"), and sang (with Cetera) the hit "Hard Habit to Break." When Cetera left in 1985, the focus was expected to switch to Champlin. Instead (after suggesting that Richard Page of "Mister, Mister" replace Cetera), he helped groom 23-year old Jason Scheff. Chicago 18 featured several Scheff-sung hits, a situation Scheff acknowledges as being incredibly generous on Champlin's part. In 1988, however, it was Champlin who shined, singing the hits, "Look Away," "I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love," and "You're Not Alone" on Chicago 19.

By the early 90s, Chicago's popularity was beginning to wane (Chicago 21, featuring the great Champlin tune "Who Do You Love?" sold poorly), and the band recorded the now infamous Stone of Sisyphus, a project that remains unreleased to this day. Champlin is all over Sisyphus, singing his heart out on "Mah Jongg," "Here With Me," and "The Show Must Go On," and co-penning and singing one of the greatest single Chicago songs in the group's history, "Plaid" (he also plays a mean guitar on "All the Years" and other tunes). He made major contributions to Chicago's big-band tribute Night & Day Big Band in 1995, and to both editions of their Christmas album (Chicago XXV: The Christmas Album, re-released with additional tracks as What's It Gonna Be, Santa?).

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Musicians - Bill Champlin

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